Bible Commentaries

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 1

Clinging to a Counterfeit Cross
Introduction

1  Jehoiakim's captivity.
3  Ashpenaz takes Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
8  They refusing the king's portion do prosper with pulse and water.
17  Their proficiency in wisdom.
Verse 1

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
2 Kings 24:1,2,13, 2 Chronicles 36:5-7
Verse 2

And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.
Cir A
&M. 3398. B.C. 606. the Lord.
2:37,38, 5:18, Deuteronomy 28:49-52, 32:30, Judges 2:14, 3:8, 4:2, Psalms 106:41,42, Isaiah 42:24
with part
5:2, 2 Chronicles 36:7, Jeremiah 27:19,20
Shinar
Genesis 10:10, 11:2, Isaiah 11:11, Zechariah 5:11
and he
5:2,3, Judges 16:23,24, 1 Samuel 5:2, 31:9,10, Ezra 1:7, Jeremiah 51:44, Habakkuk 1:16
Verse 3

And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;
Foretold
2 Kings 20:17,18, Isaiah 39:7, Jeremiah 41:1
Verse 4

Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
Children
The word yeladim, rendered children, is frequently used for lads, or young men. (see Ge 21:8, 14-16,) [neaniskous] as the LXX. render; and Daniel must have been at this time at least seventeen or eighteen years of age.
in whom
Leviticus 21:18-21, 24:19,20, Judges 8:18, 2 Samuel 14:25, Acts 7:20, Ephesians 5:27
and skilful
Rather, as Houbigant renders, "apt to understand wisdom, to acquire knowledge, and to attain science;" for it was not a knowledge of the sciences, but merely a capacity to learn them, that was required.
2:20,21, 5:11, Ecclesiastes 7:19, Acts 7:22
ability
17-20, Proverbs 22:29
Verse 5

And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
a daily
Athenæus says the kings of Persia were accustomed to order for their courtiers the food left at their tables.
1 Kings 4:22,23, 2 Kings 25:30, Matthew 6:11, Luke 11:3
which he drank
Heb of his drink. stand.
19, Genesis 41:46, 1 Samuel 16:22, 1 Kings 10:8, 2 Chronicles 9:7, Jeremiah 15:19, Luke 1:19, Luke 21:36
Verse 6

Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
Daniel
2:17, Ezekiel 14:14,20, 28:3, Matthew 24:15, Mark 13:14
Verse 7

Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.
the prince
3,10,11
gave names
4:8, 5:12, Genesis 41:45, 2 Kings 23:34, 24:17
Hananiah
2:49, 3:12-30
Verse 8

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
purposed
Ruth 1:17,18, 1 Kings 5:5, Psalms 119:106,115, Acts 11:23, 1 Corinthians 7:37, 2 Corinthians 9:7
defile
Heathen nations not only ate unclean beasts, which were forbidden by Jewish law, but even the clean animals that were eaten were first offered as victims to their gods, and part of the wine was poured out as a libation on their altars. Hence Athenæus calls the beasts served up at the tables of the Persian kings, [hieria] victims. Daniel was therefore resolved not to defile himself with their viands; yet he did not rudely refuse what was intended as a kindness, but mildly and modestly requested the proper officers to indulge him in this respect.
Leviticus 11:45-47, Deuteronomy 32:38, Psalms 106:28, 141:4, Ezekiel 4:13,14, Hosea 9:3,4, Acts 10:14-16, Romans 14:15-17, 1 Corinthians 8:7-10, 10:18-21,28-31
Verse 9

Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
Genesis 32:28, 39:21, 1 Kings 8:50, Ezra 7:27,28, Nehemiah 1:11, 2:4, Psalms 4:3, 106:46, Proverbs 16:7, Acts 7:10
Verse 10

And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.
I fear
Proverbs 29:25, John 12:42,43
worse liking
Heb. sadder.
Matthew 6:16-18
sort
or, term, or continuance.
Verse 11

Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
Melzar
or, the steward.
Verse 12

Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
pulse to eat
Heb. of pulse that we may eat, etc. Pulse, zeröim, denotes all leguminous plants, which are not reaped but pulled or plucked; which, however wholesome, was not naturally calculated to render them fatter in flesh than the others.
16, Genesis 1:29,30, Deuteronomy 8:3, Romans 14:2
Verse 15

And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
their
Exodus 23:25, Deuteronomy 28:1-14, 2 Kings 4:42-44, Psalms 37:16, Proverbs 10:22, Haggai 1:6,9, Malachi 2:2, Matthew 4:4, Mark 6:41,42
Verse 16

Daniel 1:11

Verse 17

As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
God
2:21,23, 1 Kings 3:12,28, 4:29-31, 2 Chronicles 1:10,12, Job 32:8, Psalms 119:98-100, Proverbs 2:6, Ecclesiastes 2:26, Isaiah 28:26, Luke 21:15, Acts 6:10, 7:10, Colossians 1:9, James 1:5,17
knowledge
Acts 7:22
Daniel had understanding
or, he made Daniel understand.
4:9,10, 5:11,12,14, 10:1, Genesis 41:8-15, Numbers 12:6, 2 Chronicles 26:5, Ezekiel 28:3, 1 Corinthians 12:7-11
Verse 19

And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
A. M. 3401. B.C. 603. therefore
5, Genesis 41:46, 1 Kings 17:1, Proverbs 22:29, Jeremiah 15:19
Verse 20

And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
in all
1 Kings 4:29-34, 10:1-3,23,24, Psalms 119:99
wisdom and understanding
Heb. wisdom of understanding. ten.
Genesis 31:7, Numbers 14:22, Nehemiah 4:12, Job 19:3
the magicians
2:2-11,21-13, 4:7,8-18, 5:7,8,17, Genesis 41:8, Exodus 7:11,12,22, 8:7,19, Isaiah 19:3, 47:12-14, 2 Timothy 3:8,9
Verse 21

And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.
6:28, 10:1, lived:

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